At the age of four, he began his primary education at Central School Amoli and
completed with an outstanding performance on his First School Leaving Certificate.

His desire for the Catholic Priesthood was enkindled after his primary school
graduation, resulting in his enrolment into Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude on the 13 th
of September 1984 for his secondary education. On completing his three-year junior
secondary education at Sacred Heart Seminary, he moved to St. John Cross Seminary,
Nsukka to complete the remaining three years as was the custom then. Owing to his
excellent academic credentials, young Ezennia was posted back to Sacred Heart
Seminary after graduation from St. John’s as a teacher on apostolic work.
At the end of his apostolic work at Nsude, Fr. Chidi relocated to Umuahia. He, with
two other classmates, became the founding and pioneer teachers of Loretto Boy’s
Secondary School, Osaa, Umuahia under the supervision of late Bishop Anthony
Nwedo. It was during the successful execution of his assignment as a teacher at
Loretto that young Chidi came in contact with Schoenstatt Fathers. He later joined
the Schoenstatt Congregation, which sent him to the Claretian Institute of
Philosophy, Nekede in Imo State for his philosophical studies.
While at Nekede, Ezennia functioned as the Seminary choirmaster, driver, and the
Rector’s office Assistant. After his philosophical studies at Claretian Nekede, Fr. Chidi
through the encouragement of Fr. Brian Fox (SSJ), (a priest he came in contact with,
in the course of his philosophical studies), proceeded to the United States to join the
Diocese of Savannah, Georgia. With the invitation of Fr. Brett Brenman, he was
posted to St. Joseph’s Parish in Augusta, Georgia to study under the supervision of

Fr. John Lyonns. Fr. Chidi attended St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe Pennsylvania for
his theological studies. In May 2004, he graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in
Systematic Theology with Magna Cum Lauda. That same month and year, Fr. Chidi
was ordained a Deacon of the Holy Roman Catholic Church at the Cathedral of St.
John the Baptist, Savannah, Georgia. Immediately after his diaconate ordination, he
enrolled for another Master’s Degree in Divinities at St. Vincent Seminary. He
graduated in May 2005 with Summa Cum Lauda, at the same time winning the Omer
U.Kline, OSB Homiletics Award.

The year 2005 marked a watershed in the life of Rev. Fr. Chidi Ezennia Osondu. He
was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church on June 4, 2005, at the Cathedral
of St. John the Baptist in Savannah by his Lordship, Most Rev. J. Kevin Boland, the
Catholic Bishop of Savannah, Georgia. His first mass as a priest at St. Joseph’s Parish,
Augusta Georgia was exceptional and marked the start of his priestly life of sacrifice.

Rev. Fr. Chidi Ezennia started his pastoral assignment with St. Anne Catholic Church
in Columbus, Georgia. In 2006, he was transferred to St. James Parish, Savannah
Georgia. He was at St. James until 2008 when he went to pursue his Doctorate degree
in Moral Theology at Philosophisch Theologische Hochehule Vallendar, Germany.
Fr. Chidi could not complete his Doctoral degree before death knocked at his door
on November 14, 2010.

Late Fr. Chidi had a pleasant personality and had no challenges in establishing a
convivial relationship with those he came across during his lifetime. He was
everybody’s friend – both old and young. There was never a dull moment with him.
He had a wonderful sense of humour that endeared many to him. Everybody that
encountered him can attest to the fact that he was someone you would want to meet
again.

Fr. Chidi’s spirituality was based on total submission to the will of God. He was a
man of great faith. On his sickbed and when death was drawing near, he began
writing another book entitled, “God’s Soft Hands in Thorny Gloves.” The Book, with
three Chapters written before his death, revealed Fr. Chidi’s great trust in God, even
in difficult and “hopeless” times. Fr. Chidi believed God was there soothing his
pains. Even when his relatives and sibling showed signs of breaking down because of
his worsening health condition, he encouraged them with these words, “Ndi eluigwe
mazu ihe nile; onweghi ihe gbara ha ghari” (Heaven knows all things; nothing
confounds them).

Fr. Chidi Ezennia Osondu died on the 14th of November 2010 after a brief illness.
He was in Nigeria on a summer holiday when he was diagnosed with kidney failure.
He decided to visit Apollo Hospital in India to ascertain the true condition of his
kidney and afterward seek the best way to treat himself. Fr. Chidi never returned from
India alive. He died at the age of 37. Although he accomplished a lot at his age, it was
a short life for a man that has given all he has to humanity. He spent only five years as
a Priest. Fr. Chidi Ezennia’s death was a big blow to his diocese, his family, friends,
relatives, and the children he promised to be there for especially through his
organisation, VOICE OF CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL. Fr. Chidi was a
quintessential altruist and an extraordinary priest that touched the lives of many and
left indelible marks.